Artifice Quote by Samuel Johnson
“We are easily shocked by crimes which appear at once in their full magnitude, but the gradual growth of our own wickedness, endeared by interest, and palliated by all the artifices of self-deceit, gives us time to form distinctions in our own favor”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idler, 1759
Human nature often ignores slow moral decline, focusing on dramatic crimes while rationalizing everyday corruption.
In simple terms: People notice big crimes more than their own gradual bad habits.
Key Takeaway
Watch your small compromises.
Themes
morality
self-awareness
corruption
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- politics
- business
- personal relationships
- environmental policy
Key Concepts
ethical decay
self-deception
interest
Questions to Reflect On
- What small habits have you rationalized?
- How can you recognize subtle moral decline?
A Different Perspective
Gradual wickedness can be justified, making it hard to confront.
